Mankhan Nature Reserve

Western Mongolia


South of Khar Us Nuur National Park, most of this reserve (300 sq km) lies in Mankhan sum (district) and protects the endangered Mongolian saiga antelope.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Western Mongolia attractions

1. Chinggis Khaan's Wall

11.52 MILES

This barely discernible hump running along the southwestern edge of Khar Us Nuur is thought to date back to the Kublai Khaan period, when it may have…

2. Jargalant Khairkhan Uul

15.35 MILES

At 3796m above sea level, this mountain crowns a teardrop-shaped massif encircled by Khar Us, Khar and Dörgön lakes. Dara Tour can organise trekking in…

3. Watchtower

19.49 MILES

This metal watchtower on the western shore of Khar Us Nuur has been set up for viewing birdlife in the surrounding reed islands.

4. Tsenkheriin Agui

22.89 MILES

This huge cave looks deceptively small from the parking area. But once you scramble up the loose rock path, you realise its true size and how it must have…

5. Khar Us Nuur

23.04 MILES

Khar Us Nuur (15,800 sq km, average depth 4m) is a vast marshy delta and Mongolia's third biggest lake by area, home to wild ducks, geese, wood grouse,…

6. Burial Mounds

23.84 MILES

A few hundred metres further up the valley from the caves are some burial mounds; to the uninitiated, these would appear to be nothing more than piles of…

7. Petroglyphs

23.87 MILES

These petroglyphs, on a rise just behind the burial mounds, feature dozens of etched figures, including some of antelopes and even tigers.

8. Petroglyphs

24.15 MILES

A pair of hillocks 3km west of town have a few petroglyphs etched into the boulders on top, and more in the narrow canyon between them. Performances are…